Quadriplegics invited to apply for specially renovated public flats
More than 40 disabled people, paralysed in both arms and legs, have been granted priority in moving into public housing estates and living in barrier-free flats.
The Housing Authority has worked with the Social Welfare Department and Sha Tin Hospital since 2004 to help patients with severe handicaps in four limbs to move out of their wards and reintegrate into the community.
Over the past four years, the authority has arranged public housing flats for 30 such patients, and another 15 have put their names forward for the process. Before they move in, the authority renovates the flats into barrier-free spaces, and sets up easy-to-use facilities according to advice from patients and social workers.
Stuart Chen Seng-tek, chief manager of the Housing Authority, said flats for disabled people were usually larger to accommodate wheelchairs.
'Considering their special circumstances, we will start to look for flats for them as soon as they submit applications. And we don't have any property or revenue requests for them,' he said.
Currently, more than half of the 30 patients who have used the service have been settled in public housing estates in Tseung Kwun O, where the terrain is mostly flat. More apartments will become available in Tsuen Wan, Kowloon, Fanling and Ma On Shan for disabled people to choose from in future, Mr Chan added.
'We estimate that there are around 300 patients paralysed in all four limbs in Hong Kong. We welcome them to come forward to apply for our flats,' he said.
One patient, Mr Hui, was in the first group of patients to benefit from the scheme. The 33-year-old broke a cervical vertebra in a traffic accident in 2005, leaving him with paralysed legs and only partial use of his arms.
He is now living in a 43-square-metre flat with his parents in Tseung Kwan O. The Housing Authority carried out several renovations, including lowering the light switches on the walls, adding a concrete slope at the entrance, installing rails on the walls and widening the bathroom door.
'I am very satisfied with everything here,' said Mr Hui. 'I once thought I would have to stay in the hospital for the rest of my life. But now I have a home to myself.'
